Best Mac configuration for video editing

I am going to be getting into video editing at work and have about a $6000 budget for the software (Final Cut Studio) and the hardware to do the work on. I'll be doing short 3-5 minute videos as well as some lengthier 20-30 minute videos. Those of you who have a lot of experience working with FCS, what would be your recommendations for my Mac configuration? Memory, Drive, Storage, etc. Thanks!

Buy the best MacPro you can afford. Go for the best ATi video card that is an option, try to get at least a gig of RAM per CPU core, and don't skimp on your storage.
At that budget I'd say 8 core 2.4, 12gb RAM, 1tb boot drive, 2x 2tb editing drives, the ATi 5870, and a single 27 inch window. That comes in at about 5700 without FCS. The cuts I'd make if that's too much are 8gb RAM and 1 2tb drive for editing to get down to 5100, 6100 with FCS. If you can wait Final Cut X comes out this summer for about $300. We don't know a whole lot about it yet, but the better specs with FCX will be a lot faster than the lower specs with FCS. Whether or not you can wait is a question you need to answer for yourself.
If you don't need the monitor change your boot drive to the SSD.

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What is the best Apple notebook for video editing and pro music creation?

What is the best Apple notebook for video editing and pro music creation?
I know I could opt for the most expensive and probably get what I want that way, but I´m not made of money, so what are your suggestions for minimum criteria and which would you recommend?

MacBooks Pro are great Macs with a good hardware, so all of them will work for the use you want, but I think that you want the biggest display possible because of your uses. In this case, it has to be a 15-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro, with the settings you want. Note that, after buying the Mac, you can upgrade the HDD and memory without voiding the warranty, so you are free to install as much memory and the HDD size you want after buying it. It's my opinion, but you are free to do whatever you think it's better

Best Apple Computer for Video Editing (when you're on a budget)?

I shoot video on a Canon XL2 and edit with Final Cut Express. I am looking to get a more powerful computer to edit as I currently edit on a 2007/8 MacBook with 120GB hard drive. It gets the job done but rendering takes forever and I can tell my MacBook is slowing down. What is the best apple computer for video editing? And, what would you recommend if you're on a budget? iMac? MacBook Pro? Thanks for any and all help.

Well, depending on budget...
Today, this would be my personal choice...
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC560LL/A?mco=MTg2OTUwMjQ
(3.33 GHz “Westmere” 12 GB Memory)
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC511LL/A?mco=MTg1ODA4MDM
(2.93 GHz “Quad-Core i7” 8 GB Memory)
If portability is an issue...
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC024LL/A?mco=MTc0Njg1NzI
(2.8 GHz “Intel-Core i7 ” 8 GB Memory)
Regards
Nolan

What is the best macbook pro for video editing dslr footage?

what is the best macbook pro for video editing dslr footage?

It is the GPU that is important. All the CPU's will be fast enough. If you can affords it, the 15" with the NVIDIA GPU is the best.
Ciao.

Mac Pro for Video Editing?

So I have an awesome Mac Pro computer at work all well equiped with all the bells and wistles for video editing and now I'm looking to upgrade my machine at home which is currently just a macbook pro with a second monitor.
My one concern is that the Mac Pro has not been updated in sometime. Obviously the mac bro route would be best for me being in video production so I can easily upgrade component with the never ending technology that keeps changing. Now the concern about buying a Mac Pro right now is the possibilites of it being upgraded. Now I understand things are obviously always being upgraded and things are never up to date for very long. However I'm concerned that if in like 3-4 months they came out with something and changed the decision that I maybe screwed for upgrade components along the way.
Just thought I'd get some insight from some of you and what your suggestions maybe?
Thanks in advance.

budget, time-line, stomach for 1.0 revamp (every new model, 2012 could be 3x), lack of Rosetta of course.
production never = bleeding edge, go for a mature well tested proven design - expect to see firmware change, compatibility issues, and 3-4 months for a unified build and drivers rolled out, no?
a nice $2200 "hold me over the hump" for the next 6-12 months for now, W3690/X3690 DIY (the w3680 3.33 6-core is mere $620)
no easy answer that I see with all the products Intel has on their plates.

Best display profile for video editing

Among the choices you see under Display Profile on a Mac, what is considered "best" choice for video editing, so that you can assess color, exposure, etc. in your footage as you edit? I have always used Adobe RGB (1998), but realize that I have no knowledge about whether that's a good choice.
What do the 'good' editors use (to differentiate them from guys like me)? Do top editors calibrate their monitors for video editing? Any insights into this would be greatly appreciated!
-- Mark Strand

what is considered "best" choice for video editing
there is only one setting for Final Cut; Generic RGB
This is an apple stipulation, its how Final Cut must be set up, choosing any other profile will cause problems with any out put files you create.
Do top editors calibrate their monitors for video
ICC colour management is designed and can only be used for still image files eg. so while you can calibrate a computer monitor it can only be used with still image files; TIFF CRW JPEG PSD. ICC profiles are not recognised by Final Cut Pro or QuickTime.
The colour management system used in video involves using video scopes, an accurate PAL or NTSC colour monitor and tools like the 3 way colour corrector.

Best affordable choice for video editing & other stuff?

I've been a PC user forever. I'm looking to enter the world of Mac. I do video editing with Adobe CC on a windows 7 Destop PC with an i7 Quadcore and have a nice LED monitor. I'd like a Mac capable of doing graphics well and has the processing power of an i7. I was thinking of a Macbook rather than than a iMac because I don't need the built in screen - I already have a very nice LED monitor. I also like the idea of portability. So I figure i could hook up the Macbook to my LED monitor when at my desk, and then be able to port it around when I wanted to go mobile. Is this reasonable? Is a macbook laptop capable of this kind of processing? I know my HP Powerbook with Win7 struggles doing this kind of stuff even though it has a dedicated nVidea Graphics and is an i7 2.3GHz with 16G memory, so I never use my HP laptop for video editing. I thought about the Mac Pro, but that is WAY out of my budget. Is there a Macbook that would be good for video editing and not break the bank? Like I've said, I'v discounted the idea of getting an iMac because of space & (I already have a decent size LED monitor that I'd like to continue to use and share with my Windows PC.

the last 2 and the bottom of this link would be more than adequate: http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro

Best configuration for video editing ?

my boss wants to buy a best computer for our future projects. we are a small studio so we don't have really big budget. so I am thinking 2.66 cpu, 4gb memory, x1900 graphic card...
we are going to do, some 3D and video editing, and all other graphics stuff.
any suggestions?
do I need 8core or 4 core 3.0 cpu?

I don't know if you have seen it
but in [this thread:http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5800151#5800151 we (so far two forum members and I) discussed about machine configuration options and other technical aspects!
I wish to insist on a point, do test (if you can) and read a lot before you buy!
Best,
G.

Best 17" Macbook Pro Configuration for Video Editing?

I'm just about to buy a new 17" Macbook Pro.
Should I select 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200rpm or the 500GB...? I have no clue what the difference is.
I will occasionally be mobile, traveling, eight days in November, weekends now and then, but not every week. Video editing with FCE4.
Any recommendations, CONFIDENT recommendations? I can only afford the 4GB. Other than that, I'm game.

Should I select 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200rpm or the 500GB...?
Hi,
If you are purchasing the mid-2009 MacBook Pro I would stay with the stock 500GB. The 7200 RPM model seems to have issues according to user reports.
Apple’s stance on noisy 500GB 7200 RPM MacBook Pro hard drives: ‘expected behavior’
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/applesstance_on_noisy_500gb_7200_rpm_macbook_pro_hard_drives_expectedbeha/
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2049659&tstart=0
http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/17macbook_pros_owners_having_problems_with_500gb_7200rpm_drivesvideo/
As far as external storage, I use the FirmTek SeriTek/2EN2.
http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/firmtek/2en2/
It is available as a bundle here: http://firmtek.stores.yahoo.net/sata2ensm2e.html
The reason I like the SeriTek/2EN2 is that it has hot swap bays and uses a pure native SATA interface. This provides the fastest performance available and the best compatibility with eSATA ExpressCards.
If you are looking for even faster ExpressCard performance with the SeriTek/2EN2 check out the Sonnet Tempo Pro: http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/sonnet/pro-expresscard/

New mac suggestions for video editing

I have been looking at getting a new mac to do mostly video editing and DVD authoring. I currently have a 450mhz g4 sawtooth that I thought about upgrading, but figured with the costs to just retire it. I have about a $1200 budget so I am unable to splurge and get a mac pro. Does anybody have any suggestions on what would work best for the money i.e. G5, G4 DP MDD, Macbook.
Thanks
Jamie

A refurbished MacBook Pro is a little more than your budget (at $1,449), but I think it's a better choice than the MacBook, as the MacBook has no expansion slot and an inferior graphics card.
I eliminate the iMac for the same reason - no expansion slots.
Basically, it's not recommended to capture video to your built-in drive, so you'd need to connect either a FireWire drive or an eSATA drive (with an ExpressCard adapter). However, your video camera is also likely to be FireWire, so you'd be trying to daisy chain a camera through the FireWire drive which is likely to cause performance problems. Even if the MacBook had two FireWire ports (the newest models do, a FW400 and a FW800, but the refurbs are the previous generation) they still share the same FireWire bus, so it's wise to get a FireWire ExpressCard adapter to add a second FireWire bus to the computer. That way, the drive can use one bus and the camera can use the other. Most cameras operate at 100 Mbps speeds, and slow everything else on the same bus down to those speeds as well. While DV is only 25 Mbps, you still have much less headroom to work with if the bus is operating a 100 Mbps speeds.
If you go with a MBP (or any Intel Mac) and you don't already have Final Cut Studio 5.1, you'll need to order the crossgrade. For users of Final Cut Studio 5, it's only a $49 upgrade, but you have to take advantage of it before the end of the year.
Adobe's CS suite will run slower on an Intel Mac than on a PPC due to having to run under Rosetta, but most of those apps should still be tolerable. I don't think I'd want to use After Effects under Rosetta, however.

What is the best set up for video editing?

What is the best computer? The best software? The best external storage? The best ram? 3D editing? Everything!!!!!!
Running full HD and 720p at 60 fps videos. Clips ranging from a few seconds to 10-30 minutes.
Cost isn't an issue.
What is the best set up, not the most excessive. If it doesn't need to be there or it isn't greatly needed I would like to know. This is looking at the production aspects, not the camera and such. What is the best plug in for slow motion? Pros and Cons of the set up?
I would greatly appriciate everyones input in this. Thank you so much.

That is a hard question to answer.. Nothing is best for everyone... However if i am to generalize it I would put it this way.. If you want to cut everything from a short promos to hollywood pictures..
A high end windows pc (only cause mac pro hasn't been updated in ages)
Avid Media Composer with Nitrus DX
Two monitors
Broadcast monitor
HD Deck
pimping 5.1 speakers
A good mixer
You are looking at over 70,000 or 80,000, could even approach even more.. HD decks run atleast 15k.
If price is not an issue then there you go....
However this is not realistic for most people nor best solution by no means... I run a macbook pro with Avid (as primary) Final Cut 7, Final Cut X (for practice, didn't have to use it for a job yet), and Premiere (just in case)
I am a final cut child who grew up on it and love it however everything I am doing in last few years is on AVID...
Have a second monitor..
I am very portable and rest of the gear I usually get where ever I work at.. I am looking into getting a good broadcast monitor connected with AJA thunderbolt..
Like I said this is very open question, there is no (BEST) it all depends what you will be doing.. If you get AVID (which can do everything, however is cluncky as **** and counter intuitive) but you are only cutting wedding videos and short format stuff, it would be an overkill galore.. Just get FCP X in that case... Simple,easy, one app...
Be more specific and you will get clearer answers..

Can we have a BE-ALL, END-ALL thread for your BEST Mac solutions for video?

Sorry if this already exists. But I am trying to find the sweet spot for encoding my videos (existing files, like AVI, not from DVD - I get Handbrake).
There are SO many programs and SO many options. But the discussions of these seem to be far-flung and unorganized.
So.
If you have spent hours experimenting, what have you found? I'm looking for the best Mac-based programs, and the best settings in those programs.
- I want videos that will look good on TV, but not have a crazy file size.
- I want it to be relatively fast (QuickTIme Pro is horribly slow).
- I want it to have a queue.
- I REALLY want it to be free of audio/video sync problems.
I want, I want, I want.
So far I have tried iSquint, Podner, QT Pro, FFMPEG, MPEG Streamclip...
All of them work, but they all have problems to some degree. However, one of them may be your favorite.
Have you found ONE program and ONE set of settings that you use all the time now? Share!

Justin,
I hate to stomp on your post, but unfortunately what you're asking here is against the Terms of Use for these discussions boards. Polls, petitions, surveys, etc... are not allowed.
If you have a specific question or problem regarding your iPod , you can feel free to ask it and someone here will try to help.
Otherwise, a forum such as those on iLounge might be a better place to post non-technical topics.

Mac mini for video editing

I have just started to video edit and need a new machine. As of now I have a late 2006 black MacBook. It is very slow and lags in iMovie. I am considering getting a ssd but I know that won't help entirely. I will use this machine to run final cut pro x or possible final cut 7. I will also be doing stuff involving special effects and what not. I am still new too this stuff. I love film and want to make a couple short films. I am going to college for history and communicatins and want to get my noise wet before hand. Would you consider a Mac mini good for a starter and something that will last a couple of years. Also what model. I want to put a ssd in it and want to know of toi is hard to do. I want quad core so I am looking into the server model. Is the server worth the money? Please don't tell me to get an iMac I don't like them. The glossy screen hurts my eyes and besides I have a grat set up. I have a 23" apple cinema display, keyboard, mouse, and magic trackpad. Or do you think I should get a 15" MBP.

I went to the Apple Store last night after work to by the Mac Mini, but they wanted to charge me an extra £80 compared to the online price. I wanted the 1gb memory upgrade and apparently they was going to charge me for the 500mb they would have to take out to put the 1gb in.
So guess what, I didn't buy it. I've got the order placed online though. Can't wait for it to be delivered, should be about 7 days apparently.

Best MacBook Pro for video editing

Any suggestions - I would like to purchase a MacBook Pro but I want to some video editing with it -which is the one to look at? Thanks

The best one is the model without the word "Book" in it...
You don't say what you want to edit, but in general, editing is a horsepower game so you'll want a lot of RAM, a fast system disk/SSD and the fastest processors and video board available. Don't expect to do much on the battery because all those resources (plus your external media drives) will severely limit your battery life.
You may also want an external monitor and plan on either USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt external drives for media and scratch storage. The bigger, the better.
Hope this helps

Best hardware configuration for photo editing in Aperture and/or Photoshop

I am looking to replace my existing iMac, and want to know best setup to handle photo editing. My current system (6 years old, 8GM RAM) does get bogged down some in Aperture.

photoshop and video edit rely mostly on memory and IO speed
a bit on cpu and less so on video chip (as those are useful mainly for 3d and mainly gaming 3d but a also a bit for pro 3d)
so SSD or hybrid would help
and 16GB mem
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Best Mac configuration for video editing

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